Can sealing machine



8. ca. GORSLINE CAN SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l fwe f 6? fiaraluze,

w fii l/ CAN SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ill Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlE CAN SEALING MACHINE Application January 7, 1932, Serial No. 585,238

10 Claims.

The present invention has to do with can sealing machines and particularly portable can sealers which may be utilized by the housewife for sealing tin cans in connection with the preservation of food stuffs.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a can sealer of the type referred to which is substantially automatic in operation, that is to say, when the can is put in place in the machine merely upon operation of the machine the complete sealing of the can is accomplished without the requirement of any manual adjustment of the seaming rollers or judgment with respect to the length of time the seaming rollers should remain in contact with the cam flange, etc.

A further object of the invention is the pro-- vision of a compact portable machine in which the mechanism is so arranged that cans may be conveniently put in place for sealing and removed after the sealing operation.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of means whereby the chuck for rotation of the can may be readily interchanged with various sizes of chucks to receive different size cans.

Likewise the invention relates to the can supporting portion of the machine, the adjustment of such means and the imparting of resiliency thereto to insure proper operation.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means to compensate for wear in the seaming rollers and to facilitate manufacture in the form of adjustment means associated with the seaming rollers in such manner that a. greater range of tolerance can be allowed in manufacturing than is normally permissible.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the device may be used for the purpose of opening cans. This portion of the machine is so designed that an even edge is imparted to the opened can. Thus the same maybe reflanged and used over again.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be observed to those skilled in the art upon an understanding of the preferred form thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and herein described.

It is to be understood, however, that this disclosure is for purposes of illustration only since obviously changes may be made in details of construction without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

l is a View in side elevation with parts of the interior of the mechanism of the machine shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view with part of the interior mechanism shown in dotted lines; Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the chuck and head of the machine on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. i;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of a part of the seam- 10 ing roller mechanism showing the means for adjusting the rollers to compensate for variations of manufacture or Wear due to use;

Fig. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a cutting roller substituted for one of the seaming rollers so that the machine may be used for the purpose of removing the top from a can;

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view of the can supporting platform and its associated mechan- .ism; and

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the chuck plate.

Referring to the first three figures it will be observed that the machine includes a frame member l I which consists of a base 52 and a head portion I 3.

The head portion l3 supports the chuck plate for receiving the top of the can and the seaming rollers and their associated operating mechanism. The base l2 supports the base plate of the machine and its associated operating mechanism.

Referring specifically to the base plate which is numbered l4 it will be observed from Figs. 1, 2 and 8 that the base plate is rotatably supported on a spindle I5, the upper end of which extends into the base plate. A bearing member [.6 which seats in an annular groove in the spindle l5 immediately below the base plate serves as a bearing surface for the bottom of the plate. The spindle l5 extends into a sleeve member H, the latter being adapted to slide into the opening l8 provided in the base of the machine.

Means for raising and lowering the base plate I4 is provided in the form of a cam lever I9 which engages a cam-shaped projection 20 on the base of the machine.

A compression spring member 21 is interposed between the cam member 19 and the bearing member It. In the drawings a spacer member 22 is shown between the top of the spring and the bearing member IS. The purpose of this spacer member will be hereinafter set forth.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that upon rotation of the cam lever l9 it will raise $11. 8 to the cam-shaped bearing surface between it and the cam-shaped portion 29, forcing the spring 2| upward and raising the spindle I5 and the base plate l4. It is likewise apparent that when the cam lever I9 is in its lowered position that if a can is inserted between the base plate l4 and the can chuck 22 upon rotation of the cam lever IS the can will be forced upward into engagement with the chuck 22 and there will be a resilient pressure against the can due to the presence of the spring 2| which is interposed between the spring 21 and the cam lever [9.

The spacer member 22a is provided for the purpose of raising the base plate to correspond with the size can that to be sealed. If tall can is to be sealed it may not be necessary to use any spacer member whatsoever in which event the spring 2| bears directly against the bearing member I6. If, on the other hand, a short can is to be used several spacer members may be necessary or a larger spacer member than the one shown can be employed.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 8 it will be observed that a plurality of circular grooves are provided in the top of the base plate 8 for the purpose of receiving the can flange and assuring that the same is properly centered.

Referring now to the can chuck 22 which receives the top of the can and its operating mechanism in the head of the machine I3 it will be observed from Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 9 that the can chuck consists of a circular-shaped member which is knurled at its outer edge to grip the can and rotate it when the chuck member 22 is rotated. Extending upwardly from the center of the chuck member 22 and fixedly secured to it is a spindle 23. The spindle 23 is provided at its portion which is adjacent the chuck with an enlarged round bearing surface which is indicated by the reference numeral 24. The central portion of the spindle 23 is provided with flattened sides 23a to interfit with the correspond-,

ingly shaped opening in the gear 25. The top 25 of the spindle 23 is round but of smaller diameter than the middle portion and extends into a bushing member 21 mounted in the head of the machine.

In order that the chuck 22 may be removed so that a different size chuck may be substituted for it a set screw 29 is provided in the gear 25 and engages the spindle 24. Upon loosening of the set screw 29 the chuck may be pushed downward and the spindle 24 will be removed from its various bearing surfaces. The cylindrical end 26 of the spindle being of less diameter than the medial portion it will pass through the opening in the gear 25 readily.

Since in the interchanging of chuck members it is not desirable to disturb the position of the gear 25 and its engagement with the driving gear 30 the sleeve member 21 projects downwardly into a recessed portion 25a in the top of the gear 25 so that when the spindle is removed the sleeve will still hold the gear in place. It is to be observed that the medial portion of the spindle 24 does not extend entirely to the top of the gear.

Since the top of the chuck 22 bears against the frame of the machine and forms a bearing surface therewith it is necessary to provide lubricant for this portion of the chuck member and also to the bottom portion 24 of the spindle. Lubrication is accomplished by means of the wick feed 3| which appears in Fig. 4. By lubricating the wick 3| lubricant passes to the top of the chuck and also into the lower portion 24 of the spindle.

The means for driving the chuck as appears from Figs. 1, 2 and 3 consists of a shaft 32 which is mounted in bearings 33 and 34 and extends transversely through the head of the machine. On the interior end of the shaft 32 is fixedly secured the beveled gear 30 which engages with the beveled gear 25. On the outer end of the shaft 32 is mounted a crank 35 so that upon rotation of the crank the beveled gears 30 and 25 are rotated which imparts rotation to the spindle 23 and the chuck 22.

The mechanism for operating the seaming rollers which causes them to engage the cam flange and perform the sealing operation upon rotation of the crank 35 consists generally of a cam memwhich is driven by a shaft 32 and means for l transferring the energy from the cam member alternately to the seaming rollers.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that mounted on the shaft 32 intermediate its bearing surfaces is a worm gear 36 which engages and drives a gear 31 mounted within the enclosing casing 38. As shown in Fig. l of the drawings said enclosing member 38 is removably mounted on the body of the machine by a plurality of bolts or screws 38a and the shaft of the gear 31, shown in dotted lines, is jouraled in a journal member provided on the inside wall of said enclosing casing 38. As appears in Fig. 3 there are lateral cam-shaped projections 39 and 40 respectively, one on each side of the gear 31. Riding upon these cam-shaped projections are rollers 4| and 42 which are rotatably mounted on the members 43 and 44, the last named members being pivoted to the head of the machine by the pivots 45 and 46, respectively.

Likewise pivoted on the pivots 45 and 46 are the seaming roller arms 41 and 4B. Adjusting arms 49 and 50 are also pivoted on the pivots 45 and 4E. The adjusting arms are fixedly secured to the members 43 and 44 by means of bolts 5| and 52 which pass through openings in the adjusting arms 49 and 50 and the members 43 and 44. Spring members 53 and 54 are provided which at one end are affixed to the seaming roller arms 41 and 48 respectively, and at their opposite ends are secured to the frame of the machine.

Obviously, when the handle 35 is rotated rotary movement is imparted to the worm gear 36 and the gear 31 with the result that the cam rollers 4| and 42 ride up and down on the earns 39 and 4E. The undulatory movement of the cam rollers transmits motion through the members 43 and 44 and the adjusting arms 49 and 50 to the seaming arms 41 and 48, thus forcing the seaming rollers into engagement with the can flange.

Due to the fact that the high points of the cam surfaces 39 and 4D alternate first one seaming roller and then the other, will engage the cam flange. As each seaming roller performs a different operation, one operation is completed before the other begins. The seaming roller arms 41 and 48 are withdrawn from the seaming position by the spring members 5| and 52. The pressure of the spring members also maintains the cam rollers 4| and 42 with the cam surfaces 39 and 40.

The mounting of the seaming rollers 55 and 56 on the arms 41 and 48 is through means of adjusting members, one of which is shown in detail in cross-section in Fig. 6. This adjusting means consists of a member 51 which is provided at its outer end with a bolt 58 that passes through the member 51 and forms a bearing surface for the seaming roller 55. As shown in Fig. l the iii) inside face of the adjusting member 51 is provided with a projection 58 which fits into a vertical slot in the seaming roller arms.

The end of the seaming roller arm has an enlarged opening 59 therein through which passes a bolt 60 that is screw-threaded into the adjusting member 51 and holds the adjusting member in place. The adjusting member 51 may be moved up and down a distance equal to the distance between the diameter of the bolt 66 and the diameter of the opening59. When the bolt is tight the position of the seaming roller is fixed. Due to the slot and projection arrangement sidewise movement or rotary movement of the member is prohibited.

The advantage of this form of construction resides in the fact that it permits a wide range of tolerances in the construction of the seaming rollers, the arm for holding the same and in the mounting of this arm on the frame of the machine as any inaccuracies can be taken up by vertical movement of the member 5'! in relation to the seaming roller arm 41.

A further advantage of this type of construction is that upon wear of the seaming roller and after an extended period of use this wear can be compensated for by adjustment. It is to be observed, however, that no adjustment is required on the part of the user until excessive wear has taken place because the position of the seam-- ing rollers is fixed during the course of manufacture. This feature of adjustment affords a great saving in manufacturing costs as it permits the use of castings and the machine work can be done within a fairly wide range of tolerances.

At the same time, the resultant machine as it reaches the purchaser is absolutely accurate and positive in operation which is of prime importance as in machines of this character the positioning of the roller must be extremely accurate otherwise an imperfect seal results which is not visible to the eye and which might cause poisoning due to deterioration of the canned article.

In addition to the feature of seaming a can, the machine also provides for the opening of sealed cans. This is accomplished by the substitution for one of the seaming rollers of a cutting roller such as is shown in Fig. '7.

The cutting roller which is indicated by the reference numeral 6| is substituted for one of the seaming rollers merely by removal of-the bolt or stud 58 and substituting the cutting roller 6| for the seaming roller 55. To accomplish the cutting operation the machine is operated in the same manner as though the seaming rollers were in place. As appears from Fig. 1 the cutting roller will pass immediately below the cam flange into the body of the can, the cutting action being the result of the cooperation of the cutting portion 62 with the face of the chuck 22.

With reference to the mounting of the machine, the machine is so constructed that it is possible to have two types of mounting, the base having projections therefrom, as shown in Fig. 1, with openings 53 and 64 which are adapted to receive screws or bolts so that the machine may be permanently fixed in place, or, if it is desired to removably mount the machine to the edge of the table or some other object a clamp member 65 is provided. To accommodate the clamp member 65 an opening it is provided in the frame of the machine to receive the top arm of the clamp member and, as appears in Fig. 2, the clamp is substantially U-shaped so that it passes out around the base of the machine and the object to which'it is being attached. The bottom leg is provided with a screw 66 which engages the bottom of the object to which the machine is being fixed.

The machine herein disclosed is the result of '5 extensive effort and experimentation and has proven to be practicable. The various features herein set forth give the machine compactness, portability, great utility, a wide range of adjustment and at the same time permits of economical 1o manufacture. Above all, due to the features of construction there is no judgment or skill required on the part of the operator in connection with the operation of the machine which is of prime importance in connection with the sealing of tin cans in home canning as housewives are not mechanically inclined and error in operation may cause disastrous results.

I claim:

1. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base, a base plate mounted on said base, a frame member, a removable chuck member mounted above said base plate, said chuck member including a spindle, a pair of spaced bearings to receive said spindle, a gear mounted between said bearings and adapted to rotate said spindie, a sleeve member mounted in one of said bearings and extending into the center of said gear.

2. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base member, a base plate mounted on said base, a frame member extending upwardly from said base member, a head mounted on said frame member, bearings in said head member, a chuck plate, a spindle affixed to said chuck plate and adapted to extend through said bearings, a gear mounted on said spindle between said bearing surfaces, a sleeve member mounted in one of said bearing surfaces and extending I, into a portion of said gear, the portion of said if) spindle member extending into said sleeve member being of less diameter than the remainder of said spindle.

3. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base, a base plate mounted on said base, a frame member extending upwardly from said base, a head mounted on said frame member, a chuck plate mounted on said head above said base plate, a spindle integral with said chuck plate and passing into said head, a gear mounted on said spindle between two bearing portions, the portion of said spindle adjacent said base plate being of larger diameter than the medial portion or the end portion, the medial portion of said chuck plate having fiat outer surfaces to engage correspondingly shaped surfaces in said gear, the upper portion of said spindle being of less diameter than the other two portions, a sleeve member for receiving the upper portion of said spindle and extending into said gear, and means for securing said gear to said spindle.

4. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base, a base plate mounted on said base, a frame extending upwardly from said base, a head member mounted on said frame, a removable chuck plate mounted on said head member above said base plate, arm members pivotally' mounted on said frame member and capable of horizontal movement but not vertical movement in relation thereto, seaming rollers mounted on said arm members, means for permitting vertical adjustment of said seaming rollers both upwardly and downwardly to compensate for inaccuracies in the manufacture of said arm members and their associated parts and means for driving said chuck plate and forcing said seaming rollers into engagement with a can flange.

5. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base member, a base plate mounted on said base member, the mounting means for said base plate including a cam-shaped member and a lever having at one end thereof a camshaped surface adapted to engage the first mentioned member, a spindle engaging said base plate, a sleeve member fixedly secured to one of said cam members and passing into the other member and surrounding said spindle, a frame member mounted on said base, a chuck member mounted on said frame above said base plate, means for driving said chuck, and seaming rollers operatively associated with said chuck member.

6. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base member, a base plate, a driving chuck, seaming rollers, means for mounting said seaming rollers, said mounting means including members adjustable vertically relative to each other, said vertical adjustment being accomplished by means of one member having a slot and an enlarged bolt hole therein and a second member having a projection interfitting in said slot, a bolt having the shank thereof passing through the bolt hole in said first member and into threaded engagement with said second member, and means for forcing said seaming rollers into engagement with the can flange.

'7. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base member, a base plate mounted on said base member, means for adjusting the elevation of said base plate, a frame member mounted on said base member, a head mounted on said frame member, a drive shaft extending through said head, a gear housing extending laterally from said frame member, one end of said gear housing being removable, a cross shaft journaled in the ends of said gear housing, said cross shaft being geared to said drive shaft, cam members mounted on said cross shaft, means for transmitting motion from said cam members to said seaming rollers and means for driving said drive shaft.

8. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a base member, a base plate mounted on said base member, the mounting means for said base plate including a cam-shaped member and a lever having at one end thereof a camshaped surface adapted to engage the first mentioned member, a spindle engaging said base plate,

a sleeve member fixedly secured to one of said 5 cam members and passing into the other member and surrounding said spindle, a resilient member operatively engaging said base plate and said lever, a frame member mounted on said base,

a chuck member mounted on said frame above said base plate, means for driving said chuck member, and seaming rollers operatively associated with said chuck member.

9. In a portable can sealing machine, the combination of a base member, a base plate mounted on said base member, the mounting means for said base plate including a cam-shaped member and a lever having at one end thereof a camshaped surface adapted to engage the first mentioned member, a spindle engaging said base plate, a sleeve member fixedly secured to one of said cam members and passing into the other member and surrounding said spindle, a resilient member operatively engaging said base plate and said lever, a spacer member interposed between said lever and said chuck plate, a frame member mounted on said base, a chuck member mounted on said frame above said base plate, means for driving said chuck member, and seaming rollers operatively associated with said chuck member.

10. In a portable can sealing machine the combination of a frame member, a base plate mounted on said frame member, a driving chuck, independently mounted seaming rollers, said seaming rollers each being mounted in independent arm members, said arm members being plvotally mounted and adapted to rotate about their axes in a horizontal direction only, and means at the end of said arm members in which said seaming rollers are mounted for permitting vertical adjusto ment of said seaming rollers both upwardly and downwardly to compensate for inaccuracies in manufacture of said seaming roller supporting means, means for driving said driving chuck and means for actuating said seaming rollers to bring 5 the same alternately into and out of engagement with the can flange.

SAMUEL G. GORSLINE. 

